Orders of the Day — Licensing (Abolition of State Management) Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 20 April 1971.

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Photo of Mr Reginald Maudling Mr Reginald Maudling , Barnet 12:00, 20 April 1971

I do not think there is much reality in the extraordinary figure of 90 per cent. put forward by the hon. Gentleman. No doubt later on in his own speech he will provide the detailed evidence to prove what he is saying. I will deal with the matter of price a little later. I am now dealing with the provisions of the Bill.

Clauses 2 and 3 are the operative Clauses. There is provision to enable the Secretary of State in disposing of premises to "deem" a licence to be in existence, since technically at present the premises do not have to be licensed.

Clause 4 is a formal provision relating to expenditure and payment of moneys from and into the Exchequer.

Clause 5 provides for the repeal by Statutory Instrument of the remaining statutory provisions relating to State management. These are basically provisions which allow Ministers to trade in those districts. The continuation of these powers after the Bill's enactment will be necessary for the maintenance of service in the districts until the process of sale is completed. This inevitably will take some time and clearly cannot begin until the Bill has become law. Hence the need for these powers.